Ten Smartest Dog Breeds in the World

You and your entire family have fallen in love with the tricks and antics of a four legged companion, and you believe he might be an exceptional dog. Could he be one of the smartest dogs in the world? Does your dog do amazing things without being trained or taught?

While your pet could be a truly exceptional dog, there is a chance that he was genetically gifts as a canine. Of the 144 most common dog breeds today, there are several that are known for higher intelligence and cognitive capabilities. Check out the following list and find out if your dog is one of the ten smartest breeds known to man.

Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian Cattle Dog is an energetic, active and sturdy dog breed. These dogs are loyal and protective of their family and tend to be wary of outsiders. Primarily used as herding dogs to handle herds of cattle, the Australian Cattle dog is quite intelligent, and this proof is undeniable when participants in canine sports such as obedience, rally and Frisbee competition.

These cattle dogs will normally bond with one person and remain a little reserved around others. Your Australian Cattle Dog will want to have close physical contact with their chosen person all the time. He will also bond with other members of the household but no one will take the place of his special person.

The Australian Cattle Dog is a hard working canine who will keep working, even when he has been injured. Because of this, owners should pay close attention to their cattle dogs to ensure they are not hurt after a day of working or competing.

Rottweiler

The Rottweiler is a popular choice for its large size and character, a dog breed that is confident, alert, bold and protective. This intelligent dog breed has the ability to drive cattle for long distances, and can serve as an excellent guard dog for your home and property due to their great strength, agility and endurance.

The Rottweiler dog breed delivers canines that are outstanding companions and loyal protectors. Owners who choose to adopt a Rottweiler should understand the responsibility and make a commitment to provide the proper care. In return, these highly intelligent dogs will provide a companionship that most only dream of.

Because the Rottweiler has great power and strength, it is important for owners to offer obedience and socialization training, regular exercise and mental stimulation, and lots of love. These requirements will result in a dog that is a loyal family member and guardian.

Papillon

The Papillon dog breed describes a small, elegant and dainty toy dog, his colorful name derived from those small and adorable butterfly-like ears. These dogs are quite popular due to their small size, ranging from eight to ten inches in height. In addition to being highly intelligent, these little dogs are not shy or aggressive.

This dog breed offers companions that are friendly and alert. In the United States, Papillons (erect-eared) and Phalenes (drop-eared) can be born in the same litter and are shown together as one breed. Both are equal in terms of intellect and skill, providing great company to their owners.

The Papillon is one of the smartest small dog breeds in the world, and is a great companion and watchdog. Because of their small stature, this dog breed is quite happy with apartment life but can also be content in the country. Owners of this dog breed can provide plenty of exercise and play all sorts of games both indoors and out.

Labrador Retriever

The American Kennel Club recently announced that the Labrador Retriever dog breed continues to be one of the most popular canines in the U.S. As a rule, Labrador Retrievers are gentle, intelligent, friendly outgoing and devoted companions, always seeking the approval of their owners. These dogs are normally available in three colors: yellow, chocolate and black.

The Labrador Retriever has an unusually effective water-resistant coat which makes them excellent swimmers. Due to their easygoing temperament and high level of intelligence, Labrador Retrievers also excel as guide dogs, sniffer dogs and search-and-rescue dogs. These canines have a sweet nature, which also makes them perfect candidates as therapy dogs for the sick and handicapped owners.

A wonderful companion and friend, this dog breed will grow substantially, as males stand 22.5 to 24.5 inches and weigh 65 to 80 pounds, and females stand 21.5 to 23.5 inches in height and weigh 55 to 70 pounds. Labrador Retrievers are very smart and a great choice for people who have a spacious living space to offer.

Shetland Sheepdog

The Shetland Sheepdog is a small and agile dog with high intellect, great speed and impressive endurance. In the past, this dog breed has made an excellent guard dog for farmers in the Shetland Islands, off the coast of Scotland, by keeping birds and sheep out of the farmers’ gardens. They are also used in the area as herding dogs to protect the farmers’ livestock as well.

Today, the Shetland Sheepdog dog breed has become an excellent companion for both individuals and families, and are now considered superstars in areas of dog sports. Their rise in popularity and amazing abilities could be attributed to their above average intellectual abilities.

Shetland Sheepdogs are extremely bright and sensitive characters, making them not only gentle, active and companionable, but also excellent for owners with children in the home. Keep in mind that, while it is normal for this breed to be reserved with strangers, you should steer clear of sheepdogs that seem overly timid or nervous.

Doberman Pinscher

Even today, the Doberman Pinscher’s exact ancestry is unknown, but most people believe that this canine is a mixture of many dog breeds, including the Rottweiler, Black and Tan Terrier and German Pinscher. This intelligent dog breed is quite energetic and agile, with traits that include being compactly built, muscular, powerful and well-proportioned.

As for their strength, speed and endurance, the Doberman Pinscher is well-suited for police and military work, canine sports, protection and companionship. These dogs are very smart, and will seem very reserved whenever strangers or other dogs are nearby.

The Doberman Pinscher will get along well with your children, friends, and guests, so long as they are treated kindly. If you want to adopt an intelligent canine companion, this dog breed is one of the best to choose from. With a little training and a lot of patience, these dogs are impressive and adorable.

Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever, with its tolerant and eager to please attitude, is one of the most popular breeds in the United States. This breed is not only fabulous as a family pet but also highly capable as a working dog. These dogs are highly intelligent, very sociable, uniquely beautiful, and extremely loyal.

The Golden Retriever has a seemingly long term for growth from pup to adult, as they are slow to mature and often remain as playful as a puppy until three or four years of age. While this might cause owners to wonder about their intellect, the retrievers are usually quite a bit smarter than most other breeds.

As a sweet, calm and good-natured hallmark breed, Golden Retrievers excel at tracking, sniffing out drugs, providing therapy and assistance, and retrieving game for hunters. However, Golden Retrievers are far too kind and compassionate, making them an undesirable choice as a watchdog.

German Shepherd

It shouldn’t be much of a surprise to learn that German Shepherds are not only one of America’s most popular dog breeds and one of the world’s most recognized breeds, but they are also highly intelligent. Also known as the Alsatian, the German Shepherd dog breed is loyal, protective, and intelligent.

You can expect German Shepherds to be approachable, direct and fearless, and have a strong, muscular body. These canines can be found in most colors, but the most common color combination is the black and tan. Quite fond of children, these dogs bond easily and, once a relationship is established, is a loyal family pet and a good guard dog.

Because the German Shepherd dog is highly intellectual, he will easily become bored and frustrated, exhibiting unsavory characteristics such as barking or chewing, when they lack companionship and exercise. This dog breed is a great choice for those who have plenty of time and lots of energy to share.

Poodle

There are three sizes to consider when adopting a Poodle, ranging from toy and miniature to the standard. These are not considered different dog breeds, but rather different sizes of the same dog. Not only are these small, curly haired dogs highly intelligent, but they are also elegant, proud and clever.

While you may not be able to picture this pampered, primped, and preened adorable dog swimming in water, this canine was actually a water retriever. Yes, the Poodle was trained to retrieve wild game and waterfowl for hunters, requiring them to jump into the water.

This dog breed is well-known for their playful character, dignified personality and keen intelligence. Poodles are happy to learn and will excel at most performance sports such as obedience, agility, and hunt tests. Just like other dog breeds, poodles will easily become lonely when left at home alone for long periods of time.

Border Collie

Need a smart and dependable dog breed? Consider the Border Collie, a canine breed that has been labeled as a workaholic by many dog owners. These dogs are full of unlimited energy, stamina, and working drive, all of which make them a premier herding dog.

Today, the Border Collie is the world’s most popular and proficient sheep herders, prized for its amazing intelligence, extraordinary instinct and keen working abilities. These dogs are alert, energetic, hardworking and clever, possessing the ability to learn quickly whether the behavior is good or bad.

Because of their extremely high levels of energy and above average exercise requirements, those who own Border Collies should provide them with important tasks and a space to work off their pent up energy. A walk around the block or a romp in the yard will often make a smart collie very happy.

Now that you are familiar with ten of the smartest dogs in the world, you should keep in mind that intelligent canines are not always the best choice. Because they are so smart, taking care of these dog breeds can become quite taxing if you don’t have the right space or are unable to provide for their needs.

If your dog is fortunate enough to appear in the top ten list, you should provide this smart canine with the appropriate training and care. If your dog isn’t in this list, this does not mean anything. Breed categories and characteristics are simply guidelines, and many dogs surprise their owners with unique abilities.

Whether your beloved pooch is smart or …well, not so smart, you should provide all the training and companionship he needs for a happy life. It is recommended that you search until you find a breed that suits your lifestyle, so you can focus on keeping him happy and healthy.

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